David Robertson started teaching at Principia College in 2008. Prior to working at Principia, he taught two years of high school physics at independent schools. Robertson holds an M.S. degree in physics from Stanford University.

The following is a list of courses he teaches regularly at the college:

• Physics 151: Descriptive Astronomy
• Physics 161: Physics of Musical Sound
• Physics 203: Physics for Scientists and Engineers III (Modern Physics)
• Physics 281: Advanced Laboratory
• Physics 305: Quantum Mechanics I
• Physics 306: Quantum Mechanics II
• Physics 351: Astrophysics

As a graduate student Robertson’s research was primarily in astrophysics. He analyzed X-ray spectra from active galactic nuclei (AGN) to study the interaction between radiation emitted from the accretion disks of supermassive black holes and surrounding ionized gas clouds. He also worked on the design of X-ray and UV filters for a rocket-borne solar telescope. Research experience outside of astrophysics includes modeling superconducting magnet configurations for levitation of liquid oxygen and an undergraduate project using laser spectroscopy to probe transitions between hyperfine energy levels in Rubidium 85. At Principia he has supervised undergraduate research projects exploring the use of the college’s 16 inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope for exoplanet detection (transit method).    

A related hobby of Dave’s is astrophotography.

Professor Robertson is a member of:

• American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
• Phi Beta Kappa

See his CV below for additional information.